Kansasincome tax up to 5.7%, 15th highest property tax, median home $220K
R+20 · Moderate tax burden · COL index 86
5.7%
Income Tax
410
Violent Crime / 100K
77.2
Life Expectancy
$220K
Median Home
$1,050
Childcare / Mo
Kansas in plain English
Worth knowing before you move to Kansas
Kansas stopped taxing Social Security entirely in 2024 and consolidated its brackets, and property taxes fall heavily on homeowners because agricultural land is assessed on use value. Johnson County, in the Kansas City suburbs, has the state's best-rated schools and highest home prices. The state sits squarely in Tornado Alley.
What Kansas taxes, and what it doesn't
Kansas levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 5.7%. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 5.1%, about $3,818 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 5.4%. Among the 41 states that tax income, Kansas has the 14th highest effective rate at $100,000 of income.
Property tax runs 1.24% of home value a year, roughly $2,728 on the state's median home of $220K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and Kansas has the 15th highest rate of the 50 states.
Combined state and local sales tax averages 8.68%, the 9th highest in the country (the state portion is 6.5%).
For retirees: Kansas is one of the few states that taxes Social Security benefits, pension income is partly exempt, and there is no estate or inheritance tax.
Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income.
Housing and the cost of living in Kansas
Kansas's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average; that is the 5th cheapest of the 50 states.
The median home costs $220K, 27% below the national figure and the 9th lowest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $1,050 a month.
Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $4,500 a year, flood coverage adds about $600 where it is needed, car insurance runs $1,590.
Budget $130 a month for electricity and gas, $440 a month in groceries for two, $1,050 a month for full-time infant care.
Safety, health and schools
Violent crime is 410 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, above the median state (387); Kansas is the 20th most violent of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 2,225 per 100,000.
Life expectancy is 77.2 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 9.6% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has not expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks Kansas's health system 29th of 50.
Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 26th in the country.
Politics, guns and social policy
Politically, Kansas is a solidly Republican state that went to Trump by 20 points in 2024.
On guns, no permit is required to carry a concealed handgun, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws F.
Abortion is protected by state law. Marijuana is illegal. Kansas is a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Climate, risk and getting around
Natural disaster risk is very high. The main hazards are tornado, blizzard, drought. Annual average air quality index is 38 (under 50 is good).
Kansas has no top-25 hub airport, with about 35 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.
Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.
Largest counties in Kansas
State Profile
Kansas will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
Income Tax
Property Tax
~$2,728/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
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Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
Price Level vs US (BEA)
Below US average (100)
Mortgages 90+ Days Late
FHFA, latest quarter
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Well above national avg (~$1,900/yr)
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Homes in HOAs
Moderate HOA presence (Census ACS 2024)
Zoning Restrictiveness
Middle of the pack (Wharton WRLURI 2018)
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)
No statewide STR law; local control.
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
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Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Near national avg
Traffic Fatality Rate
Registered Sex Offenders
Above the state median (SafeHome 2025)
Homeless Population
Low homelessness rate — 32% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)
Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
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Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
State Healthcare Rank
Life Expectancy
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
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Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
College Completion Rate
College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)
Avg College Cost of Attendance
College Scorecard 2024
K-12 Quality Rank
School Choice / Vouchers
HS Graduation Rate
Near national avg (~87%)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Near national avg (~16)
Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
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Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
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Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
Grid Carbon Intensity
Near US average (~820)
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Electricity Rate
Below national avg (13¢)
Energy Mix
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Among the best roads in the US
Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
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Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Regional airport — connections via hub
Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
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Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
Urban Population
Mix of urban and rural
Restaurant Density
Religious Congregations
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
2/100K residents — Growing
Craft Distilleries
Live Music
Kansas City (MO side) jazz bleeds over; Wichita growing scene; Tallgrass brewing
Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
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Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Work From Home
State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)
Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
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Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
Formal Volunteering Rate
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)
Votes in Local Elections
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023
Abortion Access
Kansas constitution protects abortion rights (Amendment rejected 2022)
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
4 state-owned casino facilities. Sports betting launched 2022.
Age of Consent
Sex Education
No state sex ed mandate
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
Kansas naturists often travel to Missouri or Oklahoma clubs
Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
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Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Near national avg
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
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Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Carry in Bars
Carry in Restaurants
Carry in Places of Worship
Permit carry allowed; posting governs.
Gambling
Hunting & Outdoors
Sources: state wildlife agencies · USFS · BLM · USFWS (May 2026)
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Hunting & Outdoors
Sources: state wildlife agencies · USFS · BLM · USFWS (May 2026)
Kansas is one of the top trophy whitetail states in the country. Boone & Crockett bucks taken here consistently. Archery season runs nearly 3 months.
Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks — Official Season Dates ↗Finding nearby venues...
From r/hunting
Where to go? : r/Hunting
When I think about states known for their ability to produce trophy deer and also have a centerfire season I think of Kansas, Nebraska, Miss...
reddit.com ↗
Do you think this is right? : r/Hunting
Almost universally, you can't hunt big game (Deer, Elk, bear, lion, turkey) or water foul (Ducks) outside of daylight hours. Conversely ther...
reddit.com ↗
Got my first whitetail buck in southwestern Kansas last ...
Got my first whitetail buck in southwestern Kansas last weekend!...
reddit.com ↗
Doe hunting in Kansas, all I see is bucks.
Between me and my brother we've killed 6 deer in 12 years . All forkys or bigger . This past season in d14 I got my first one with a bow dur...
reddit.com ↗
Ravin Crossbows
Hunting Wyoming elk or Kansas whitetail? Ravin's R500 is rated at 500 feet per second.
See Ravin crossbows →About this sponsor
Ravin sells it on rifle-style accuracy and HeliCoil cams. Those are Ravin's specs, not our test results. If your move comes with a hunting license, price this one first, and check the season dates on this page before you buy.
Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
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Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)
Near US average (~4.5%)
Quits Rate (JOLTS)
Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average
Job Market
+1% job growth · 2.9% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Healthcare Jobs
Remote Work
Median Household Income
Union Membership
Below-average union presence (BLS 2025)
Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
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Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
Corporate Income Tax
LLC Formation Fee
LLC Annual Fee
Business Climate Rank
Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
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Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
Gas Price (Regular)
Well below avg (-0.32 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Most consumer fireworks legal
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Required under 18 (IIHS 2026)
Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
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Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 37°F
Summer Heat
Hot summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
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Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
Venomous Snakes
Spider Hazard
Scorpions
Hurricane Risk
Tornado Risk
Wildfire Risk
Earthquake Risk
Armadillo Leprosy Risk
Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗
Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
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Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
Veteran-Friendly Score
9.1% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
100% disabled: full exemption
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore Kansas counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county
See your full cost of living in Kansas
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.
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Kansas vs Missouri
COL 86 vs 86 · 5.7% vs 4.7% income tax
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Kansas vs Alabama
COL 86 vs 87 · 5.7% vs 5% income tax
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KS vs AR
Kansas vs Arkansas
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Trending in Kansas
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What Residents Say
Moving to Kansas City Kansas : r/kansascity
you don't want to come to Kansas City Kansas our taxes are ridiculously high and we have no amenities. They don't even fix the streets over ......
reddit.com ↗
Probably moving to Eastern KS in the next 6-9 months but ...
As the title says, I'm probably moving from western Kansas to eastern Kansas in the next 6-9 months. I grew up in Colby, went to college in Emporia and ......
reddit.com ↗
Should I move to KC? : r/kansascity
It actually has all the delights of a large city without the horrible traffic, people congestion, and high costs of living. Still has the huge ......
reddit.com ↗
Moving to KC area : r/kansascity
KCMO has the 1% city tax, but you have to pay it if you work in the city whichever place you decide to live (or if you live in the city wherever ......
reddit.com ↗
Thinkig about moving to Kansas. How do you folks like ...
The state has now put a tax lid on the locals so they cannot raise taxes to pay for these. ... Housing prices are highest in KC area (except maybe ......
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Why stay in KC? : r/kansascity
I was born and raised in Overland Park and currently have one more year at Kansas State university. To be fair I haven’t really explored anything downtown, ......
reddit.com ↗
That kansas quality of life
Wouldn't progressive policies such as higher minimum wage or universal healthcare cost more, so richer states like California, New York, and ......
reddit.com ↗
Property taxes are the hot issue...now? : r/kansas
Ty Masterson became Senate President in January, 2021 and is now in his 6th year as Senate President. During these 6 years, Masterson has enjoyed a veto-proof ....
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How is living in and around Kansas City? (Both the ...
How is life in this part of the country? Seriously considering moving here. Id love to hear about the culture, people/demographics, places to ......
reddit.com ↗
LPT Before moving to a state just because it has "no ...
Income tax structure does not determine cost of living in your area. If you are considering living somewhere just because the income tax rate ......
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Kansas will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.
One email when Kansas changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.
Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.